75-10-713. Public notice of remedial action, administrative order, or consent decree -- comments -- meeting -- response. (1) (a) Except as provided in 75-10-712, before final approval by the director of the department of any administrative order on consent, issued pursuant to 75-10-711, or before judicial approval of a consent decree issued pursuant to this part, the department shall:

(i) publish a notice and brief description of the proposed order or decree in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the area affected and make copies of the proposal available to the public;

(ii) provide at least 30 days (or whatever additional time the department may in its discretion grant upon written request) for submission of written comments regarding the proposed order or decree and upon written request by 10 or more persons or by a group having 10 or more members (but not including a liable person), conduct a public meeting at or near the facility for the purpose of receiving verbal comment regarding the proposed order or decree; and

(iii) consider and respond to relevant written or verbal comments properly submitted during the comment period or at the public meeting.

(b) The administrative record supporting the department's approved order or decree must contain the department's response summary prepared pursuant to subsection (1)(a)(iii).

(2) Except as provided in 75-10-712, upon making a final decision regarding the proposed remedial action, order, or decree, the department shall publish notice, as provided under subsection (1), and make copies of the final decision on the approved order or decree available to the public.

(3) Except as provided in 75-10-712, the department shall:

(a) notify the county commissioners and governing bodies of cities, towns, and consolidated local governments impacted by a proposed remedial action; and

(b) at the request of the county commissioners or the governing body of a city or town or of a consolidated local government impacted by a remedial action, conduct a public meeting.